Garmin Forerunner 920XT

Is the new Garmin 920XT watch the ultimate for those who want to take their training seriously? And will it be worth the price? Find out in our review.

The Garmin Forerunner 920XT is the smartwatch that is revolutionizing training for fans of triathlon and multisport enthusiasts. It is not just a clock that accompanies the athlete during physical activity; rather, the Garmin Forerunner 920XT can be worn all day to enjoy and take full advantage of its capabilities.

The FR920XT brings together in one watch the best features that the Garmin has integrated into its SportWatch new generation, such as Live Tracking, already observed in the Garmin Edge series; swim mode, already own the Garmin Swim; the Running Dynamics mode integrated in FR620; and concluding with the system activity tracking and monitoring of sleep of Series Garmin Live.

These are just some of the immense potential uses of this Garmin, which remains without a doubt the SportWatch for multisports. It’s richer in features and capabilities than any other on the entire market.
After all, the clock was manufactured by Garmin, one of the first companies to have launched a SportWatch with GPS and in our review, this model is particularly suitable for those who practice triathlon and multi-sport disciplines.
The official price on the site of the Garmin Forerunner 920 XT is $449.99 for the basic version, and up to $499.99 for the version with the heart-rate monitor for racing. At the writing of this review, the best prices we can find on Amazon are $383.00 for the basic version, and $408.00 for the version with the heart-rate monitor for the ride – definitely a nice savings. [BUY it on AMAZON]

Garmin Forerunner 920XT Review: Design Features and Functions

With its high-resolution color screen, the Garmin Forerunner 920XT can be used in all light conditions. It’s an activity tracker to measure our physical activity, thanks to the useful function “count steps” that warns us when we are still for too long. The smartwatch has a useful feature that allows you to count the calories you burn while training; it allows us to draw up a detailed training program and calibrate it based on the results we want to achieve.
With the Garmin Forerunner 920XT, it is impossible to stand still, thanks to a motivational progress bar; this smartwatch shows us the progress of our workouts and highlights when we’re missing them to achieve the goals we have set ourselves. At the end of the day, thanks to the progress bar, we can evaluate the statistics of our workouts and compare them with those of the previous weeks and months.
The Forerunner 920XT keeps us company even while we sleep, keeping track of the quality and quantity of our sleep. This smartwatch even records our movements while we are sleeping. The watch is also highly customizable: you can change your profiles and activities or add new ones. It’s a revolutionary possibility for those wishing to practice the sports at 360 degrees, ranging from swimming to cycling to running to cross-country skiing. All of this can be done with ease and a user-friendly interface.

Garmin Forerunner 920XT for Runners: Running Dynamics, VO2 and HRM

To start racing with the Forerunner 920XT you just need to enter the sport mode and select the mode – of course, “Outdoor Run” if we are not going to run on a treadmill. Access the ride mode, and activate the GPS clock.
The FR920XT generally takes from 3 to 10 seconds to lock on to a GPS satellite, a very good result considering that it may also download the GPS satellite data every time you connect to a smartphone or PC. Once the race starts, the clock will show distance and speed very accurately; the time lag for changing the display of the new speed or cadence is around 0.5 seconds.

The FR920XT also integrates the mode Running Dynamics, the same as the FR620 and Fenix2. The Running Dynamics mode is composed of three different metrics: vertical oscillation, time of contact with the ground, and cadence. The first two metrics, however, are only available through the use of the HR belt HRM-Run sold together with the SportWatch. As regards the timing, it is calculated from the same clock, but can be integrated with the sensor data cardio Run.
These statistics are shown on a specific screen in Running Dynamics. After loading the race on Garmin Connect, just look for the corresponding category “Dynamics” in the app or on the desktop.

Running Dynamics 920XT Statistics

The Garmin 920XT also calculates the VO2MAX for the race: the smartwatch is able to calculate the maximum capacity of oxygen consumed under maximum effort. Thanks to the heart-rate monitor HR Run, the smartwatch calculates the vertical oscillation of the torso or the height of rebound, data that allows us to evaluate the effectiveness of our training. The VO2Max is also used to make predictions of the race; these predictions are calculated using their volume VO2 along with data such as height, weight, and gender to get an estimate of the timing of the race. For example, if we covered 5 kilometers using 20 minutes with a VO2 of 57, the clock will predict that to complete a marathon of 20 kilometers could take about an hour and a half.

Garmin Forerunner 920XT: Functions for Cycling Fans

This smartwatch is well suited to bike training. When you are ready to work out, you have to hook the Forerunner on the handlebars and enjoy all the statistics and data recorded by smartwatch. Thanks to wireless sensors, the Garmin Forerunner 920XT is able to show the time, speed, and distance of the ride, the altitude and the slope of the road, and the power developed during training in the saddle.
The FR920XT obviously supports the specific mode “Cycling,” to be activated after selecting the sports profile. We can also access the metrics ANT + power, and to obtain a specific value of VO2Max, which is also available for the bicycle mode, but in this case is calculated using a different algorithm.
The convenience for cyclists with the 920XT also includes the possibility of inserting the Garmin watch in the slots of the series Garmin Edge, despite many models of bicycles professionally integrating on the handlebars a device for the insertion of detection models such as the Forerunner.

Garmin Forerunner 920XT: Functions for Swimmers

FR920XT contains two different modes for swimming: Swimming and Open Water. Open Water mode is used to swim in waters not demarcated as seas, rivers, and lakes. Choosing the right mode of swimming is important because tracking metrics differ depending on the profile of training chosen.

Despite the Garmin 920XT being built to work in water, it is important to understand that we cannot expect the same operation mode as on land. The GPS signal, every time we go down under the water, becomes weak and can happen to lose the satellite for a few seconds. The accuracy for underwater therefore is not always perfect. Do not worry, though, because the SportWatch Garmin (always on mode Open Water) can process the GPS data, although fragmented, and create a real map of where we’re swimming, viewable directly on the screen. In “Open Water” there will also be shown the distance in yards or meters and then in miles or kilometers, as well as information on the style and pace.
As for the pool mode, it does not matter whether it is indoors or outdoors; there is no difference. GPS works only in the Open Water mode. While in the swimming mode, pool metrics are calculated by using an accelerometer.
Before starting to swim in the pool, you will need to set the size of the swimming pool, and the menu settings for the unit to calculate obviously tanks carried.
FR920XT also incorporates a timer or stopwatch for time to recovery or rest .
Pushing the “Laps” button we can change mode, starting before the rest and then again when returning to swim, all conveniently displayed on the screen. Also very useful is the ability to set alerts with vibration or alerts that warn us after a certain number of strokes, or after a certain distance, or after a certain number of laps.
Finally, the smartwatch is very comfortable and easy to wear under your suit because it is 18 percent thinner and 15 percent lighter than other sports watches.

Garmin Forerunner 920XT: Synchronization, Connection, and Battery

The FR920XT allows synchronization directly with the phone via Bluetooth. This permits you to load workouts wherever you are, without the need of a PC. This feature, combined with the automatic synchronization options of Garmin, allows the automatic loading of the workout.
Synchronization can be achieved not only via Bluetooth but also via WiFi and, of course, via USB to the computer. To load workouts completed, the device will use the phone to transfer data handling (monitoring activities) and data sleep Garmin Connect on the platform. Once inside Garmin Connect, you can view the personal training data.
As for the battery and its duration, the Garmin 920 XT has more capacity and longevity compared to the predecessor Garmin FR910 XT, passing from use of 15–20 hours to 24 complete hours with GPS. The use of GPS in the same 920XT has also been enhanced through a battery-saving mode called “Ultra Trac” which provides up to 40 hours of use of the satellite tracking system.